What is the primary function of the Medical Information Bureau (MIB)?

The primary function of the Medical Information Bureau (MIB) is to maintain confidential medical impairment information. The MIB serves as a resource for insurers to access information about the health history and medical impairments of individuals who are applying for insurance. This database helps insurance companies make informed decisions regarding underwriting and assessing risk when providing life and health insurance policies.

By using the information stored in the MIB, insurers can accurately evaluate an applicant's medical history, which aids in the underwriting process. This is crucial for ensuring that the risk is appropriately assessed and that premiums are set accordingly based on the applicant's health status. The confidentiality of the data is also central to the MIB’s purpose, as it is essential for the protection of individuals' private medical information while still allowing for necessary disclosures among insurance providers.

Providing health care services or evaluating insurance claims are not roles within the MIB's responsibilities. The MIB's function is strictly related to the collection and dissemination of medical impairment information relevant to insurance underwriting. Additionally, the scope of the MIB is not limited to life insurance applications; it also encompasses health insurance context, making the reference to "life insurance applications only" not entirely accurate.